The second batch of the Executive Fellow Program in Management (EFPM) was inaugurated today at IIM Raipur. Prof. Suresh Chand, Associate Dean, Purdue Krannert School of Management, Purdue University inaugurated the program and delivered the key note address. It was attended by the faculty members and Fellow students of IIM Raipur.

Prof. Chand shared his experiences in doing research with the industry. He shared some avenues for research in management that the scholars could take up. He emphasized the need to focus on field research based on primary data and using robust methods to address the research gaps. Giving an example of the healthcare industry, he pointed out that hospitals often witness patient waiting for too long and at the same time doctors sitting idle. “Such problems”, he maintained, “can be addressed by basic operation research models and statistical analysis”.Prof. Chand also stressed the need for a systematic approach to research that entails identification of the management problem and thereafter using a rigorous but appropriate methodology to address it. He inspired the scholars to take up meaningful research and further the frontiers of management thought by understanding the gap between academic theory and business problems. He shared several examples of research projects that the scholars could take up. Some of these involved areas like warranty claims, applying TPS in improving patient flows, and developing robust forecasting models.

There is an acute shortage of trained faculty members in the country. A large number of faculty members in the country are without PhD. The PhD to non-PhD ratio of faculty members in US is 92.94%. It is less than 30% in India. The quality of most Indian PhD is also a suspect and only a handful of B-schools have the necessary infrastructure (Guides, research environment and facilities) to deliver good quality programs. Stressing on the imperative need to fill in this gap, Prof. BS Sahay, Director, IIM Raipur pointed to the important role IIMs are playing in providing the country with much needed trained faculty who are not only able teachers but also able researchers.Dr. BS Sahayenthused the incoming batch stating “While the program is rigorous, scholars also find research to be exciting and challenging”. He stressed on the conducting and undertaking high quality research with high impact on the management thought.

Prof. Vinita Sahay, chairperson of the FPM program welcomed the research scholars and shared the vision of IIM Raipur in starting the program and the rigors it entails. Executive Fellow Program in Management (EFPM) is a unique doctoral program in management at IIM Raipur specifically designed for working professionals with more than 7 years of work experience in industry. Participants from industry and academia join the program to finish their fellowship (equivalent to PhD). The program is designed in such a way that working executives need not leave their jobs to further their education. The program has two components. The first component of the program consists of an on-campus course work involving a series of courses followed by a comprehensive examination. The second component of the program consists of thesis work. The thesis work involves undertaking research under the guidance of a faculty guide. The program should be seen as a ‘training’ for research that prepares the scholar to understand the research process and imbibe a research orientation in his workplace.

The second batch of the EFPM program has 10 research scholars who shall pursue their fellowship in different areas of management like marketing, HR, finance and operations. The batch was carefully selected after a rigorous process of selection that involved a written test and interview. The 2nd batch of EFPM has working executives interested in pursuing a career in research and academics. They are from diverse backgrounds and companies like Bhilai Steel Plant, Tata Consultancy Services, Hyderabad, Technopak Advisors Pvt. Ltd., Oriental Bank of Commerce, Bhilai Steel Plant, Alkem Labs, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, New Delhi, Sienna Ecad and NTPC-SAIL Power Company Ltd. (NSPCL). Most of the scholars work at senior levels in these companies (Vice President, General Managers, etc.). They work in different domains in their area like marketing, HR, IT and Finance.

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